What does acclaim mean?
Word: Acclaim
Part of Speech: Noun, verb
Meaning: Acclaim means strong public praise for something or someone. As a verb, it means to praise someone or something publicly.
Synonyms: praise, applause
How do you spell acclaim?
Syllables: ac - claim
Tricky part: The start has a double c. Because you hear only one k sound, many students write a single c and lose a letter.
Watch out for: aclaim, acclain
Memory tip: Picture an audience giving two loud claps for a winner: clap, clap, c, c. Acclaim needs both of them at the start.
Acclaim in a sentence
Example 1: The young violin player from Pune won acclaim at a big music contest in Vienna.
Example 2: Critics acclaimed the new film for its clever story and gentle humour.
Example 3: Her science project on clean water earned wide acclaim from the judges.
Fun Fact
The word goes back to Latin acclamare, built from parts meaning to and to shout.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word:
acclaim
a) admiration
b) approval
c) tribute
d) criticism
Show answer
d) criticism. A tribute, admiration and approval all praise someone; criticism points out faults, which is the opposite.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) ovation
b) renowned
c) prestige
d) acclaym
Show answer
d) acclaym. The long a sound near the end of this word is written ai, the way it is in rain and paint.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
mlicaac
a) acclaim
b) claimant
c) calcium
d) malice
Show answer
a) acclaim. Calcium needs a u, claimant needs an n and a t, and malice has an e, so only acclaim uses these seven letters.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
accllaim
a) i
b) l
c) a
d) m
Show answer
b) l. Only one l is needed here; take one away and the word is right.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. An actor whose new film earns acclaim will probably feel ____.
a) bored and sleepy
b) cross and upset
c) lost and confused
d) proud and happy
Show answer
d) proud and happy
2. What kind of work might bring a scientist acclaim?
a) a discovery that helps farmers
b) a lab coat that is too big
c) a late train to the office
d) a desk covered in papers
Show answer
a) a discovery that helps farmers
